RNZN Liberty Boats – Fairmile Maori – Liberty boat, also known as a Tamaki tram because of her carrying personnel to HMNZS Tamaki, Motuihe Island / Te Motu-a-Ihenga –

HMNZS Maori – ML409 alongside

Waiheke ferries Iris Moana ex HMNZS Maori – ML409 and Ngaroma ex ML402 (underway) at Auckland’s ferry terminal 1980’s.Both ships were sold to Singapore between 1987 and 1992.I assume Ngaroma still survives,but Iris Moana,on a voyage to Sri Lanka was captured and subsequently sunk by the Tamill Tiger separatists.

RNZN Liberty Boats – Fairmile Kahu (Ex) – Liberty boat, also known as a Tamaki tram because of her carrying personnel to HMNZS Tamaki, Motuihe Island / Te Motu-a-Ihenga – Photos of her life to date

HMNZS Kahu (Q411)

This was her configuration when I was crew on her

HMNZS Kahu as harbour transport
HMNZS Kahu (Ex) – Fairmile at Whangarei for refitting

A sad sight as she languished here at Greenhithe for many years in a neglected state

RNZN Liberty Boats – HMNZS Duchess (T07) and a fine looking ship indeed -Liberty boat for HMNZS Tamaki, Motuihe Island among other jobs. 2 photos

HMNZS Duchess, Training Jetty

HMNZS Duchess (T07)

Built: 1897 Mackie & Thompson Scotland
Type: Auxiliary Minesweeper/Examination Vessel
Pennant No.: T07
Displacement: 314 tons gross, 137 tons net
Length: 133.6 ft. /40.7 m Beam: 26 ft./7.9 m Draft: 10.3 ft./3.1 m
Propulsion: Steam reciprocating 650 ihp, single shaft, coal
Speed: 12 knots
Complement: 17 as MS, 24 as Exam. Vessel
Armament: 1 light MG

Duchess was a passenger ferry operating in the Hauraki Gulf. In 1934 the ship was charted for 12 weeks, converted and commissioned as HMS Duchess II for five weeks of MS trials. She was then returned to her owners.

She was requisitioned on 24 June 1940 and commissioned on 8 July, temporarily in the first instance, as an additional sweeper at Auckland, although questionably suitable. In April 1941 she was reduced to care and maintenance on a mooring In November she was taken in hand for conversion to an examination vessel, a duty she performed at Auckland until the service ceased in September 1944.

After a further spell on the moorings, Duchess performed as a supply ship to HMNZS Tamaki from February 1945 until September 1946 when she was paid off and placed on sale. She was sold in December to F. Appleton of Penrose for breaking up. The hull was stripped , towed away and beached in Boulder Bay, Rangitoto Island.

Army Reserves role expands horizons for Queenstown space scholar

When Private Lyndi Le Fay isn’t studying the final frontier, she’s relishing her role as a New Zealand Army Reserve Force soldier and encouraging other young women to follow in her footsteps.

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25 MARCH, 2024

Brought up in Queenstown, Private Le Fay is in her final semester at Auckland University, finishing her graduate diploma in earth sciences with a focus on space science.

She’s been a reservist with Auckland-based 3rd/6th Battalion for nearly two years, and will soon be joining the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) full time.

“Joining the Reserve Force seemed like a good option to get my foot in the door and understand how the military works,” Private Le Fay says.

It’s given me the confidence, leadership skills and the ability to do something so completely different from every day civilian life.

As well as her reservist duties, Private Le Fay is a Recruiting Ambassador for the NZDF, which sees her inspiring other young women to consider careers with the Defence Force.

She’s engaged with female high school students through the Royal New Zealand Navy’s annual School to Seas programme, which focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) opportunities for women in the Navy.

And last year, Private Le Fay helped run the Royal New Zealand Air Force Innovation Challenge.

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When she talks to young women about the NZDF, Private Le Fay is very open about her own experiences studying STEM subjects and being in the military.

“I didn’t have a good experience at high school, I was not one of the popular kids. I focused on my study and it has led to amazing opportunities in my personal life.

“I tell people that high school isn’t everything. What you do in your life, extracurricular-wise, academic-wise, is much more important than what people think of you.”

She said quite a few of those young people she’s met through her Recruiting Ambassador role, have since reached out to her via social media.

“A few have become Navy officers, telling me I was the reason they joined.”

Private Le Fay said on average, Reserve Force training takes up between 20 and 30 days a year.

“If you’re doing Reserve courses it can jump up a bit. This year has been different, in that I got an opportunity to be a second-in-command during a Reserves Infantry Corps Training.

“I was very privileged to do that as a private. And it’s been a bit of a running joke because I do so much more in my roles with Recruiting.”

She thinks everyone should try their hand at life in the Reserve Force, even if they are a little hesitant about joining the NZDF.

“It’s a great way to learn soft skills, like team leadership and being an efficient follower. You work with a high-performing team in stressful situations, which gives you endurance, resilience and a lot of self-confidence.

“You make new friends and have really good experiences. The opportunities are just endless.”

Private Lyndi Le Fay (back row, second from right) with fellow Senior Platoon members during Reserves Infantry Corps Training

PRIVATE LYNDI LE FAY (BACK ROW, SECOND FROM RIGHT) WITH FELLOW SENIOR PLATOON MEMBERS DURING RESERVES INFANTRY CORPS TRAINING

Private Le Fay said she’s very excited about joining the NZ Army Regular Force in a few months’ time.

“As it happens I come from a military family. My grandparents, cousins, uncles – there’s a lot of military history in my family.

“Reserves has given me a great start, given me skills to navigate life.

“There have been situations I have got into, where having that foundation of mental fortitude has helped me get through some tough moments when things are thrown at you.”

Interested in joining our Reserve Force?

Any Defence Recruiting enquiries can be directed to 0800 1 FORCE. Each Reserve Force company has its own training programme in line with its battalion’s training focus.

Platoon-level training takes place one night a week and company-level training typically one weekend a month.